Musical woodwind instrument

ABSTRACT

A SAXOPHONE HAVING CIRCULAR TONE HOLES EACH OF WHICH IS PROVIDED WITH AN ELECTRO-MAGNETICALLY OPERABLE VALVE FOR SELECTIVELY COVERING AND UNCOVERING THE TONE HOLE, SO THAT THE WEIGHT AND MANUFACTURING COSTS OF THE SAXOPHONE MAY BE REDUCED, AND THE TONE HOLES MAY BE POSITIONED AT THE LOCATIONS FOR OPTIMUM PITCH QUALITY WITHOUT AWKWARD FINGERING OF THE INSTRUMENT BEING REQUIRED. THE VALVE MEMBER OF EACH VALVE HAS A FACE OF PART-SPHERICAL FORM WHICH CONTACTS THE ASSOCIATED TONE HOLE WHEN THE TONE HOLE IS IN THE COVERED CONDITION, THE DIMENSIONS OF SAID FACE   BEING GREATER, IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO THE PLANE OF THE TONE HOLE, THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE TONE HOLE. EACH VALVE INCLUDES A CASING WHICH CO-AXIALLY SURROUNDS THE ASSOCIATED TONE HOLE AND WHICH IS FORMED WITH TWO DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED OPENINGS THE LOWER EDGES OF WHICH ARE IN THE PLANE OF THE TONE HOLE.

Feb. 16, 1971 J. w. SINGULAR 3,564,574

MUSICAL woonwnw INSTRUMENT Filed Nov. 18; 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN W. SINGULAR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 0 3,564,574 MUSICAL WOODWIND INSTRUMENT John W. Singular, 566 Paisley Road, Guelph, Ontario, Canada Filed Nov. 18, 1968, Ser. No. 776,415 Int. Cl. GlOd 7/06 US. Cl. 84-380 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A saxophone having circular tone holes each of which is provided with an electro-magnetically operable valve for selectively covering and uncovering the tone hole, so that the weight and manufacturing costs of the saxophone may be reduced, and the tone hOles may be positioned at the locations for optimum pitch quality without awkward fingering of the instrument being required. The valve member of each valve has a face of part-spherical form which contacts the associated tone hole when the tone hole is in the covered condition, the dimensions of said face being greater, in a lane parallel to the plane of the tone hole, than the diameter of the tone hole. Each valve includes a casing which co-axially surrounds the associated tone hole and which is formed with two diametrically opposed openings the lower edegs of which are in the plane of the tone hole.

This invention is concerned with a musical instrument and, more particularly, with a musical woodwind instrument such as a saxophone.

A musical instrument of the type with which the present invention is concerned is constituted by a hallow tube one end of which is provided with a reed mouthpiece. A tone hole or holes are formed at pre-determined, spaced positions along the length of the tube, the tone holes being provided with closure valves which are selectively operated, by the person playing the instrument, in such combinations and in such a sequence as to produce the desired musical sound.

In the case of, for example, saxophones it has hitherto been the practice for the valves to be connected mechanically, by operating rods and linkages, to appropriately positioned finger keys which are manually actuated by the person playing the instrument thereby to cause the tone holes to be covered and uncovered as desired. Such hitherto used arrangements suffer from a number of disadvantages which it is a primary object of the present invention substantially to overcome. For example, the

hitherto used arrangements are relatively expensive to manufacture in view of the complexity of the mechanical linkages involved. Furthermore, the operating rods and associated linkages become worn through use. This wear results in lost motion between the actuation of the finger keys and the operation of the valves and may necessitate eventually the replacement of the worn members. In addi tion, wear in the operating rods and associated linkages, and even the mechanical character itself of the connections between the finger keys and the valves, makes it difficult for a person using the instrument to play a number of notes in rapid succession.

Further, it is a disadvantage of such instruments that in many cases it is not possible, because of the need satisfactorily to accommodate the operating rods and associated linkages which are connected between the valves and the finger keys, to position all the tone holes at the optimum locations from the point of view of pitch quality and, at the same time, to position all the finger keys at the ideal locations from the point of view of ease of fingering. Thus, in many cases, either the positioning of at least some of the tone holes is such that the pitch quality of the instrument is impaired or the positioning of at least some of the finger keys is such that the playing of the instrument requires extremely awkward and uncomfortable fingering.

Also, the large number of operating rods and associated linkages required for, for example, a saxophone substantially increases the weight of the instrument.

It is, as stated above, a primary object of the present invention to provide a musical woodwind instrument, such as a saxophone, in which the abovementioned disadvantages of the hitherto used instruments of this type are substantially overcome, and in which, more particularly, the manufacturing costs of the instrument are reduced, the above-mentioned wear in parts of the instrument is avoided, the tone holes may be positioned at the locations for optimum pitch quality without this resulting in awkward or uncomfortable fingering being required, and the weight of the instrument may be reduced.

In an instrument according to the present invention each tone hole is provided with an electro-magnetically operable valve for selectively covering and uncovering said tone hole. At least one of the valves comprises a cylindrical casing which is mounted on the instrument and which surrounds and is co-axially disposed relative to said tone hole, and a valve member mounted within the casing and slidably movable relative thereto from an upper position in which the valve member is spaced from said tone hole to a lower position in which the valve member covers said tone hole and vice versa, the casing being formed with two diametrically opposed openings having lower edges which are substantially in the plane of the tone hole. The lower face of the valve member is of part-spherical form and said face has dimensions in a plane parallel to the plane of the tone hole which are greater than the diameter of the tone hole. Said at least one of the valves also comprises a coil spring which acts on the valve member for urging the valve member towards said upper position, an electrically energizable coil which is disposed around the tone hole for electro-magnetically urging the valve member from said upper position towards said lower position, and a cover plate which is secured to the upper end of the valve casing, a normally open micro switch being mounted on the cover plate, a push button being mounted on the cover plate, and the push button being manually operable resiliently to close the micro switch thereby to energize the coil.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and more readily carried into effect the same will now, by way of example, be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of a saxophone according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an axially sectioned view of an electromagnetically operable valve incorporated in the saxo phone illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an electrical circuit incorpo rated in the saxophone illustrated in FIG. 1.

While the invention is hereinafter described with particular reference to a saxophone it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted in scope to such instruments but is applicable to all musical woodwind instruments which have one or more tone holes and which are of the above-described type.

With particular reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, 10 denotes generally a saxophone comprising a hollow metal tube 11 which at one end 12 is upwardly curved and outwardly flared and which at the other end 13 is provided with a reed mouthpiece denoted generally by the reference 14. The above-described features are conventional and a more detailed description thereof is not considered to be necessary.

and 15' denote generally each of a plurality of electro-magnetically operable valves, one of the valves 15 being illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2. The valves 15' may be identical to the valves 15, except that, whereas the valves 15 include the means for controlling operation thereof, the operation of the valves 15 is controlled by remotely located means such as is indicated by the references 15" in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1 certain valves, and the means for controlling operation thereof, have, for clarity, been omitted.

With reference to FIG. 2 the valve comprises a hollow cylindrical casing 16 having an upper end 17 which is closed by a cover plate 18. The casing 16 is mounted on the tube 11 of the instrument 10 and is so disposed as to surround and be coaxial with a tone hole 19 formed in the tube 11. As will be understood, the tube 11 is formed with a plurality of such tone holes disposed at pre-determined, spaced positions along the length of the tube.

Screw threaded members 20 pass through apertures 21 formed in the cover plate 18, the members 20 being secured to the tube 11 and serving to maintain the casing 16 and the cover plate 18 in their assembled condition. The casing 16 and the cover plate 18 together constitute the body of the valve 15.

Disposed within the casing 16 is a valve member 22 which is movable relative to the casing 16 from a first or upper position in which the member 22 is spaced from the tone hole 19 to a second or lower position in which the member 22 covers the tone hole 19. and vice versa, the member 22 being shown in FIG. 2 in the first or upper position. The valve 15 thus serves for selectively covering and uncovering the tone hole 19.

Presented by the member 22 is an upwardly projecting guide tube 23. The guide tube 23 is telescopically mounted within an outer guide tube 24, the upper end of which is secured to the underside of the cover plate 18. Means which is preferably constituted by a tension coil spring 25 acts on the valve member 22 to urge the valve member in an upward direction towards the first or upper position.

The tone hole 19 is defined by an upstanding cylindrical wall 26 which projects from the tube 11 of the instrument, an electrically energizable coil 27 being deposed around the wall 26. The tone hole 19 is circular and the lower face 28 of the member 22 is of part-spherical form, the dimensions of the face 28 in direction parallel to the plane of the tone hole 19 being greater than the diameter of the tone hole 19 so that even if there is a degree of misalignment between the member 22 and the tone hole 19 when the member 22 is in the second or lower position the member 22 nevertheless completely covers the tone hole 19.

The valve 15 is also provided with electrical switch means by operation of which the coil 27 may be energized, the switch means comprising a normally open micro-switch 29 which is mounted in a recess 30 formed in the cover plate 18, and a push button 31 which is likewise mounted on the cover plate 18 and which is so disposed that, on being depressed, it resiliently closes the switch 29. The micro-switch 29 is electrically connected in series with the coil 27 by wiring which has been omitted from FIG. 2 for clarity.

As will be understood, the switch 29 and push button 31 together constitute the means controlling operation of the valve 15. Thus, with reference to FIG. 1, the remotely located means 15" for controlling operation of the valves .15 may each be constituted by a switch and push button corresponding to the switch 29 and push button 31.

Two diametrically opposed openings, one of which is shown in FIG. 2 and is identified by the reference 32, are formed in the casing 16, the openings having lower edges which are substantially in the plane of the tone hole 19.

Actuation of the push button 31 causes closing of the micro-switch 29 which, in turn, results in the coil 27 being energized. Energization of the coil 27 causes the valve member 22 to be electro-magnetically urged against the influence of the spring 25, from the first or upper position to the second or lower position in which the member 22 covers the tone hole 19.

When the button 31 is released the micro-switch 29 returns to its normally open condition thus de-energizing the coil 27 and permitting the valve member 22 slidably to return, under the influence of the spring 25, to the first or upper position.

With particular reference to FIG. 3 which is a diagram of the electrical circuit in which the valves are incorporated, L1 and L2 denote the supply lines from an electric power source (not shown). Connected in parallel between the supply lines L1 and L2 is a plurality of lines 33 to 52, inclusive, there being connected in series in each of said lines the coil 33A to 52A, respectively, and the switch 333 to 52B, respectively, of each valve.

A further switch 33C is connected in parallel with the switch 348, this further switch 33C and the switch 3313 together constituting a single double-pole switch. Connected in parallel with the switch 463 is a line 53 incorporating, in series, a coil 53A and a combination comprising three switches 39C, 40C and 41C connected in parallel, the coils 46A and 53A of the appropriate valves and the switch 39C, 40C or 41C, which may be considered as a single switch constituting the switches of the valves incorporating the coils 46A and 53A, thus being connected in series. The switches 39B and 39C together constitute a single doublepole switch. Likewise, the switches 40B and 40C together constitute a single double-pole switch and the switches 41B and 41C together constitute a single doublepole switch.

Connected in parallel with the coil 43A is a line 54 incorporating in series, a coil 54A and a switch 54B. FurthermOre, a line 55 is connected between the supply line L1 and a terminal of the switch 43B, this line 55 incorporating, in series, a coil 55A and a switch 54C. The switches 54B and 54C together constitute a single double-pole switch. The switch 43B is a doublethrow switch which normally connects the line 55 to the supply line L2, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the switch 43B is thus connected in series with the coil 55A and the switch 540 of the appropriate valve.

A line 56 incorporating, in series, a coil 56A and a switch 46C is connected between the supply lines L1 and L2. A line 57 incorporating a switch 46D is connected in parallel with the switch 488. The switches 46B, 46C and 46D together constitute a single triple-pole switch which thus comprises the switch means of a plurality of the valves. Furthermore, a line 58 connects a switch 588 in parallel with the switch 46B.

A switch 47C is connected in parallel with the switch 46C, the switches 47C and 47B together constituting a single double-pole switch.

A switch 48C is connected in parallel with the switch 47B and a switch 48D is connected in parallel with the switch 528, the switches 48B, 48C and 48D together constituting a single triple-pole switch.

The valve 15 illustrated in FIG. 2 is, for example, the valve containing the coil 35A and switch 35B, it being understood, of course, that a number of the valves differ structurally from the form of valve illustrated in FIG. 2. For example. the valve incorporating the coil 56A does not include a switch corresponding to the switch 29 of the valve 15 illustrated in FIG. 2 since the switch 46C, of the valve incorporating the coil 56A, is incorporated in the triple-pole switch constituted by the switches 46B, 46C and 46D. Also the valves incorporating some of the coils illustrated in FIG. 3 correspond, of course, to the valves 15 shown in FIG. 1 in which the switches of these valves, these switches being incorporated in the means 15" shown in FIG. 1, are remotely located rela-\ tive to the valves.

Actuation of the various switches causes energization of the coils in the following manner:

Switch actuated: Coil or coils energized 33B (and 33C) 33A and 34A. 34B 34A.

38B 38A. 39B (and 39C) 39A, 53A, and 46A. 40B (and 40C) 40A, 53A and 46A. 41B (and 41C) 41A, 53A and 46A. 42B 42A. 43B 43A.

44B 44A. 45B 45A. 46B (and 46C and 46D). 46A, 56A and 48A. 47B (and 47C) s 47A and 48A. 48B (and 48C and 48D)- 47A, 48A and 52A.

51B 51A 52B 52A. 54B (and 54C) 55A if switch 43B is not simultaneously actuated. 54B (and 54C) 54A if switch 43B is simultaneously actuated. 58B 46A.

With the conventional positioning of the various tone holes along the tube 11 of the saxophone the following musical notes are produced When the indicated switches are actuated with resultant covering of the appropriate tone holes through energization of the indicated coils, alternative fingering for some of the notes using the switch 58B being, however, omitted from the following table for simplicity.

Note Switches actuated Coils energized Low B flat 47B (and 47C). 46B (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A, and 46D), 43B, 41B (and 56A, 43A, 53A, 410), 40B (and 40C), 3913 41A, 40A, 39A, (and 39C), 36B, 33B (and 33C). 36A, 34A. 33A.

Low B natural. 47B (and' 47C), 46B (and 46C 48A, 47A. 46A,

and 46D), 43B, 41B (and 56A, 43A, 53A, 41C),40B (and 40C),39B 41A, 40A, 49A, (and 39C), 36B, 34B. 36A, 34A.

LowC. 47B (and 470). 468 (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D), 43B, (and 4lC), 56A, 43A, 53A,

40B (and 40C), 3913 (and 41A, 40A, 39A, 390), 36B. 36A.

Low C sharp 47B (and 470). 4GB (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D), 43B, 41B (and 56A, 43A, 53A, 410), 40B, (and 40C), 3913 41A, 40A, 39A, (and 39C) 36B, 35B. 36A, 35

Low D 47B (and 47C), 46B (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 461)), 4313, 41B (and 56A, 43A, 53A, 410), 4013 (and too), 39B 41A, 40A, 39A (and 39C).

Low D sharp 47B (and 47C), 463 (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D), 43B, 41B (and 56A, 43A, 53A, 410), 4GB (and 40C), 3913 41A, 40A, 39A, (and 39C). 3713. 37A.

Low E 47B (and 47C), 4613 (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D), 43B, 41B (and 56A, 43A, 53A, 41C), 4013 (and 40C). 41A,

Low 1:. 47B (and 47C). 46B (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D), 43B, 41B (and 56A, 43A, 53A, 410). 41A.

Low F sharp 47B (and 47C), 46B (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D), 43B, 40B (and 56A, 43A, 53A, 408). 40A.

Low G 47B (and 47C), 46B (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D), 4313. 56A, 43A.

Low G sharp 47B (and 47C), 4613 (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D), 43B, 42B. 56A, 43A, 42A

Low A 47B (and 47C), 4613 (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D). 56A.

Middle B flat 47B (and 47C), 46B (and 46C 48A, 47A, 46A,

and 46D), 44B. 44A, 56A.

Middle B natural..- 47B (and 47C) 48A, 47A.

Middle C 46B (and 46C and 46D) 46A, 56A, 48A.

.. None None.

D 54B (and 54C), 47B (and 47C), 54A, 48A, 47A,

46B (and 46C and 46D), 43B, 46A, 56A, 43A, 41B (and 41C), 40B (and 53A, 41A, 40A, 40C), 3913 (and 39C). 39A.

Mlddle D sharp 54B (and 54C). 47B (and 47C), 54A, 48A, 47A,

46B (and 46C and 46D), 46A, 56A, 43A, 43B, 41B (and 41C), 40B 53A, 41A, 40A,

(and 40C), 39B (and 39C), 3713.

Note Switches actuated Coils energized idMdle E 54B (and 54C), 478 (and 47C), 54A, 48A, 47A,

46B (and 46C and 46D), 4313, 46A, 56A, 43A 411(3))(and 41C), 403 (and 53A, 41A, 40A,- 40

Middle F 54B (and 54C), 47B (and 47C), 54A, 48A, 47A,

46B (and 46C and 46D), 46A, 56A, 43A, 43B, 41B (and 41C). 53A, 41A.

Middle F sharp 54B (and 54C), 47B (and 47C), 54A, 48A, 47A,

46B (and 46C and 46D), 43B, 46A, 56A, 43A, 40B (and 40C). 53A, 40A.

Middle G 54B (and 54C), 4713 (and 47C), 54A, 48A, 47A,

46B (and 46C and 46D), 43B. 46A 56A, 43A

Middle G sharp 54B (and 54C), 47B (and 47C) 54A, 48A, 47A,

46B (and 46C and 46D), 43B, 46A, 56A, 43A, 42B. 42A.

Middle A 54B (and54C), 47B (and 47C), 55A, 48A, 47A,

46B (and 46C and 46D). 56A

High B flat 54B (and 54C), 47B (and 47C), 55A, 48A, 47A

46B (and 46C and 46D), 44B. 46A, 44A, 56A.

High B natural 54B (and 54C), 478 (and 47C)... 55A, 48A. 47A.

High 0 54B (and 54C), 46B (and 460 55A, 48A, 46A,

and 46D). 56A.

High C sharp. 54B (and 54C) 55A.

High D B, 54B (and 54C) A, 50A.

Bigh D sharp 51B, 50B, 54B (and 54C) 55A, 51A, 50A.

High E 51B, 50B, 54B (and 54C), 49B... fifigfm, 50A,

High F 52B, 51B, 50B, 54B (and 54C), 55A, 52A, 51A

49B. 50A, A.

The double-pole switch constitued by the switches 54B and 54C in the circuit described above with reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings constitutes what is known in the art as an octave key. The above-described circuit may be modified by the incorporation of a second octave key, the use of which provides alternative fingering for the notes high B to high F and extends the range of the instrument to include the notes from high F sharp to top F. The use of such a second octave key would facilitate the playing of the instrument and particularly the playing of notes in the above-mentioned extended range since, although it is possible to play these notes without the use of a second octave key this involves relatively complex fingering and is consequently difficult if not impossible for other than expert performers.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A musical woodwind instrument having a plurality of circular tone holes wherein each tone hole is provided with an electro-magnetically operable valve for selectively covering and uncovering said tone hole, at least one of the valves comprising a cylindrical casing mounted on the instrument, the casing surrounding and being co-axially disposed relative to said tone hole and being formed with two diametrically opposed openings having lower edges which are substantially in the plane of the tone hole, a valve member mounted within the casing and slidably movable relative thereto from an upper position in which the valve member is spaced from said tone hole to a lower position in which the valve member covers said tone hole and vice versa, the lower face of the valve member being of part-spherical form and said face having dimensions in a plane parallel to the plane of the tone hole Which are greater than the diameter of the tone hole, a coil spring acting on the valve member for urging the valve member toward said upper position, an electrically energizable coil disposed around the tone hole for electro-magnetically urging the valve member from said upper position toward said lower position, a cover plate secured to the upper end of the valve casing, a normally open micro switch mounted on the cover plate, and a push button mounted on the cover plate, the push button being manually operable resiliently to close the micro switch thereby to energize the coil.

2. A saxophone having a plurality of circular tone holes wherein each tone hole is provided with an electromagnetically operable valve for selectively covering and uncovering said tone hole, at least one of the valves comprising a cylindrical casing mounted on the instrument, the casing surrounding and being co-axially disposed relative to said tone hole and being formed with two diametrically opposed openings having lower edges which are substantially in the plane of the tone hole, a valve member mounted within the casing and slidably movable relative thereto from an upper position in which the valve member is spaced from said tone hole to a lower position in which the valve member covers said tone hole and vice versa, the lower face of the valve member being of part-spherical form and said face having dimensions in a plane parallel to the plane of the tone hole which are greater than the diameter of the tone hole, a coil spring acting on the valve member for urging the valve member toward said upper position, an electrically energizable coil disposed around the tone hole for electromagnetically urging the valve member from said upper position toward said lower position, a cover plate secured to the upper end of the valve casing, a normally open micro switch mounted on the cover plate, and a push button mounted on the cover plate, the push button being manually operable resiliently to close the micro switch thereby to energize the coil.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner 10 L. R. FRANKLIN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

